Heap-based buffer overflow in Procmail - CVE-2017-16844
Published: November 21, 2017 / Updated: April 14, 2026
Vulnerability identifier: #VU9375
CSH Severity: High
CVSS v4: 9.3 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N]
CVE-ID: CVE-2017-16844
CWE-ID: CWE-122
Exploitation vector: Remote access
Exploit availability:
No public exploit available
Vulnerability details
The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The vulnerability exists due to boundary error in the loadbuf() function in formisc.c in formail in procmail 3.22. A remote attacker can execute arbitrary code on the target system via a specially crafted e-mail message because of a hardcoded realloc size.
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of vulnerable system.
Affected software
Procmail
Debian Linux
Arch Linux
Amazon Linux AMI
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for IBM z Systems
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Power
Ubuntu
Debian Linux
Arch Linux
Amazon Linux AMI
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for IBM z Systems
Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Power
Ubuntu
How to mitigate CVE-2017-16844
The procmail project is not supported any more. it is advised to replace this mailing agent with another solution.